Actor Jane Seymour had flat feet and difficulty speaking as a child, but she eventually excelled at ballet and then began a successful movie and television career. Several misfortunes taught her the value of her mother's counsel, which was to focus on other people. In Seymour's case, young people often are the beneficiaries of her philanthropy with the Red Cross and other organizations.

"I have always felt that children are our most endangered species," she said, speaking to a luncheon crowd of more than 750 at A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa. Seymour has six children of her own.

The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida raised more than $100,000 and honored Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters, Clearwater accountant Nancy Ridenour and Tampa business and community leaders Molly Crews and Dotti Groover-Skipper with the annual Women of Distinction Awards. Heather Barrow, founder and executive director of the High Risk Hope charity for families who are experiencing high-risk pregnancies, received the Woman of Promise distinction.

Fashions from St. Petersburg's Pippa Pelure boutique were only part of the allure at the Spring Fling presented the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast Guild. The fundraiser for the Peg Nunn Scholarship Fund featured lunch in the home of Carrie and Tony Gibbons, with guild members preparing the food and members calling the host "Mr. Wonderful" before the day was over because of his efforts.

President Barbara Royston and Karol Bullard were co-chairwomen for the event, leading a committee that included the hostess and Roseanna Costa, Hannah Gross, Kathy Guckenberger, Sparky Ierna, Jenna Leitao, Sally Poynter, Linda Noble Welch, Connie Whitehead and Brandi Winans.

Karol Bullard reports that a donation from Mrs. Nunn's daughter Beverly Nicklaus pushed the money contributed to the scholarship fund to $10,000.

03.04.14

Infinity's Mardi Gras Madness VIII, held at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, featured a mask contest and clothing from Ambria's Gallery of Wearable Art and White House/Black Market. The annual luncheon is a fundraiser for Brookwood Florida, CASA and the Suncoast Center.

"This creative and dynamic event drew a young, fashionable audience of women who care deeply about the effects of domestic violence on women and children," CASA executive director Linda Osmundson said, "and we are truly grateful for their dedication."